Wallace Spearmon of the US in the 200m second round (© Getty Images)
The annual ‘Colorful Athletics Meeting’ in Daegu, Korea has once again assembled a strong line-up for this year’s edition which takes place on Wednesday (3), and will feature plenty of global champions and medallists including Osaka winners Liu Xiang, Tatyana Lebedeva and Yelena Isinbayeva.
Men’s events – Spearmon and Liu Xiang, the standouts
Last year the absolute highlight of the meet was 19.65 second 200m clocking by the 2005 World Championships silver medallist Wallace Spearmon (USA). Spearmon, who took the bronze in Osaka at the 200m behind Tyson Gay - who has now flew home to the USA after his win in Yokohama on Sunday - has run a season’s best 19.82 this year and comes to Daegu fresh following his big 100m personal best of 9.96 ahead of Gay in Shanghai last week (Fri 28).
Spearmon is entered to run both 100m and 200m and will be joined by African record holder Olusoji Fasuba (NGR), fourth in the Osaka 100m, with Chris Williams (JAM, 7th In Osaka) and fellow American Rodney Martin for the 200m – Martin was fourth in the Osaka 200m race.
The men’s 800m race includes Kenyan Wilfred Bungei, who was fifth in Osaka and won the 2006 World Indoor Championships. Gebregziabher Gebremariam (ETH) stars in the 5000m, he was 6th in Osaka over the 10,000m distance.
In the men’s sprint hurdles last year’s winner, World record holder, World and Olympic champion Liu Xiang of China returns to the track following his defeat last Friday in Shanghai. Liu XInag is challenged by fellow Chinese Shi Dongpeng who was fifth in Osaka and American Ryan Wilson who has run 13.02 this season.
In the men’s 400m Hurdles, Osaka silver medallist Felix Sánchez (DOM), reigning Olympic champion, is joined by James Carter (USA) who finished fourth in Osaka. Aarik Wilson (USA) is the biggest star of the Triple jump. He has jumped 17.58m this season and was fifth in Osaka. In the Javelin Throw, Osaka finalists Aleksandr Ivanov (RUS), Igor Janik (POL) and Eriks Rags (LAT) will be fighting for the top spot on the podium.
Women’s events – Williams, Isinbayeva and Lebedeva, the stars
In the sprint events some quality Americans are competing. Osaka 100m silver medallist Lauryn Williams, the 2005 World champion, and Carmelita Jeter, the Osaka bronze medallist will be joined by Marshevet Hooker and Brianna Glenn. Jeter and Glenn will also star over the 200m distance along with Osaka finalists Cydonie Mothersill (CAY) and Lashauntea Moore (USA).
In the 1500m, Osaka bronze medallist Iryna Lishchynska (UKR) will have to fight hard against Russians Natalya Pantelyeva, also an Osaka finalist, and Olesya Chumakova, the winner at the 2007 World University Games. The 3000m steeplechase race is headed by Kenyan junior Ruth Bosibori, who set the World Junior record 9:25.25 while finishing fourth in Osaka. She will be joined by Natalya Izmodemova (RUS) and two Chinese Li Zhenzhu and Zhu Yanmei.
Women’s 100m Hurdles race includes Nichole Denby (USA) and Aleksandra Antonova (RUS), who both competed in Osaka, but did not make it to the final.
The Pole Vault features World record holder, World, Olympic and European champion Yelena Isinbayeva (RUS) against Osaka bronze medallist Svetlana Feofanova (RUS), the fomer World champion and record breaker>
Tatyana Lebedeva (RUS) is the other big star in the Long Jump, the vent at which she is the reigning World and Olympic champion.
The Hammer Throw includes Osaka finalist Gulfiya Khanafeyeva (RUS), Kamila Skolimowska (POL) who was fourth in Osaka, and Ivana Brkljacic (CRO), who topped the Osaka qualification, but faded back to 11th place in the final.
Mirko Jalava for the IAAF
